Holiday Retreat 2025

“Love means being truly present for your loved ones.
The greatest gift we can give our loved ones is our presence — our true presence in the moment.”

                                                                         – Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh

As the year gently comes to a close, we invite you and your loved ones to step away from the busyness of daily life and join us for a nourishing Holiday Retreat. This is a time to pause, breathe, and renew the heart of our family — to slow down enough to truly see one another and touch the simple joys of being together.

A home filled with love and understanding is the most precious foundation we can offer each other. It becomes a source of strength and a lifelong gift that accompanies each of us on our journey through life.

During the retreat, we will:

• Practice mindfulness in every moment — sitting, walking, eating, washing dishes, resting — learning to be fully present for ourselves and each other.
• Listen to Dharma talks that nourish understanding and offer practical ways to bring harmony into our daily lives.
• Share our hearts in intimate Dharma sharing circles, where we are invited to speak and listen with compassion.
• Welcome the New Year with a peaceful midnight ceremony. Together, we will pause to reflect on the year that has passed, writing down our insights, gratitudes, and the things we wish to let go of. In a mindful burning ceremony, we will release what no longer serves us, then write down our heartfelt aspirations and plant the seeds of intention for the year ahead.
• Offer the transmission of the Five Mindfulness Trainings for those who wish to receive them.

This retreat is more than a holiday gathering — it is a chance to transform our way of being together. By turning inward, listening deeply, and learning to love and care for ourselves, we discover the capacity to truly love and support those around us. The practice of self-compassion becomes the ground for authentic and lasting love within our families and beyond.

Whether you come alone, as a couple, or as a whole family, you will be embraced by the collective energy of mindfulness and love. Together, we create a safe and joyful space to nurture what truly matters: understanding, compassion, and connection — the foundation for a happier year and a more harmonious life.

Our monastics will offer separate programs for children (6-12) and teens (13-17) with age-appropriate sharings, mindfulness practices and games.